Tamper-proof case for meter or register

ABSTRACT

An improved tamper-proof case for a meter, remote register, or other device, having a cover with a novel locking arrangement whereby access to the device is obtained by rupturing a replaceable plug to permit insertion of a tool for releasing a latch to thereby free the cover from the base member.

I United States Patent 1 [1 1 3,893,586

Derose et a1. July 8, 1975 [54] TAMPER-PROOF CASE FOR METER OR 2,739,002 3/1956 Johnson 220/324 2,800,248 7/1957 Truesdell 220/324 REGISTER 2,914,333 11/1959 Keunitz 220/324 [75] Inventors: Ralph A- Derose, ill a k; 2,975,932 3/1961 Lenole... 220/324 Anthony W. Rigazio, Oglesby; 3,250,427 /1966 Pogue 220/324 George V. Zimmerman, St. Charles, 3.344.913 /1967 Best 220/324 3 f m 3,348,668 10/1967 Amatsu 220/324 [73] Assigneez xflptrllitrge gisernatlonal Corporation, Primary Examiner wimam I. Price a Assistant Examiner-R. E. Haat [22] Filed: May 10, 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cooper, Dunham, Clark, 21 Appl. No.: 468,729

[57] ABSTRACT [52] 11.5. C1. 220/324; 292/256.5 5| rm. Cl 865d /16 tMPH-Pmof case 9 meter [58] Field of Search /77 158 159 160 166 register, or other device, having a cover with a novel 70/167 6 locking arrangement whereby access to the device is 2'92/256 obtained by rupturing a replaceable plug to permit insertion of a tool for releasing a latch to thereby free [56] References Cited the cover from the base member.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 2,106,003 1/1938 Hewitt 220/324 ll I" .III I Li I 1 TAMPER-PROOF CASE FOR METER OR REGISTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a novel case which may be used for housing a water meter, remote register, or similar device whereby access to the device may be gained only by rupturing a replaceable plug or disc. Upon rupturing of said plug, a tool such as a screw driver or probe may be inserted into the ruptured portion to disengage a latch member from the case to thereby free the cover for removal from its base. To return and secure the cover to its base, it is necessary to replace the plug which has been ruptured by a new plug so that its respective latch member may cooperate with the plug to secure the case.

Tamperproof cases are necessary to detect and discourage unauthorized tampering and entrance to metering device. Utilities such as those supplying municipal water, gas, or electricity, normally have some form of tamper-proof case to house the measuring device for detection of unauthorized access thereto and also to discourage the manipulation of the meter reading which is present on the meter register and which indicates the the quantity of fluid, electricity, etc. used by the subscriber. In addition to providing a tamper-proof case, the instant invention has a separate means associated with the case whereby after access an unautho rized person will have no means to restore the case to its original condition. Numerous means have previously been used by utilities to detect tampering. The most common is the use ofa continuous piece of twisted wire which is passed through the end of a bolt and its associated nut which is sealed by some form of soft metal means. In order to gain access into the case, the wire must be broken and the seal disturbed. The restoration of the seal can only be accomplished by authorized personnel utilizing a special rescaling tool. Such placement and harnessing of twisted wire on utility cases is both cumbersome and time consuming, and, the rescaling requires special equipment. It is a primary object of the instant invention to eliminate the use of such equipment and harnessing proceedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a tamperproof case is provided for housing a water meter, register, or other device wherein a cover is affixed to a base member in a manner to prevent tampering of the housed device and also enable visual detection of tampering. In order to gain access to the inside of the housing a replaceable plug must be ruptured and a spring clip must be depressed out of engagement with the plug to thereby permit the case to be removed from its base. Rupturing of the plug and removal of the case by any unauthorized person not having a replacement plug prevents the restoration of the case to its original condition and will place the utility on notice of tampering. Any authorized person, after gaining access to the case, merely replaces the ruptured plug with a new one, places the cover back on the base member whereby the one spring clip will latch on to recess on to the case and the other will cooperate with the newly inserted plug to thereby secure the cover to the base.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an improved tamper-proof case which will eliminate the necessity of harnessing various bolts and nuts together and sealing them by lead or other metal. Another object is to provide a tamper-proof case whereby tampering can be readily detected by visual inspection of the case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamper-proof case which is readily accessible to those authorized and does not require any special tool, sealing device, or the like to restore the case to its original condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the case shown on a vertical mounting;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial cross-section illus trating the locking means and replaceable plug;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the replaceable plug; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spring clip of the said locking device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, case 10 includes a base 16; and, a cover 20 having integral sides 6,8, 19,21; and top 17. Although shown as attached to a vertical wall or partition 12, the case may be mounted in any desired position. Cover 20 has a viewing portion 14 on its top 17 which is in proximity to a digital counter having a plurality of numbered wheels generally indicated by reference numeral 15. The counter indicates the quantity of flow of the metered fluid or the like which has passed through the measuring cham her (not shown) of the meter. Although the embodiment shown is used in a remote register having a digital counter as commonly used in conjunction with a water meter of similar device, it is understood that the case 10 may be used with any type of meter, remote readout or other device wherein tampering or entrance into the case by unauthorized persons is to be discouraged and can be readily detected. Authorized persons may restore the case to its original condition after gaining entrance by the novel means to be hereinafter described.

With reference to FIG. 2, base 16 is secured to vertical wall or partition 12 by screws or the like (not shown). Cover 20 overlaps base 16 and is in fluid tight relationship thereto as seal 22 is positioned around the base in proximity to the cover and urges the cover 20 as clearly shown. Although not forming a part of the instant invention, the base has integral support posts 23 which are adapted to straddle a plurality of transfer pinions 25 which are in communication with a plurality of numbered wheels 27 mounted on shafts 28,30, respectively. The numbered wheels 27 and transfer pinions 24 are coaxially mounted in the usual manner whereby sequential rotation of the numbered wheels is accomplished by the transfer pinions in a well known manner to provide digital counting of the metered fluid.

Spring clips 30,30, which are similar, are affixed to and protrude from base 16 on opposing sides thereof by means of rivets 32,32, respectively, or by other securing means. Clip 30 has a projecting latch portion 24 which cooperates with recess 32 in the side 19 of cover 20 in a manner whereby clip 30 is cammed inwardly as the said cover is advanced toward base 16. When cover 20 is in its final position, the latch portion 24, since it is resiliently urged toward side 19, will snap into the recess 32 to thus form a locking means for the said cover with respect to base 16. Similarly, resilient clip 30' coperates with replaceable plug 36 in a novel manner so that the side 21 of cover is also secured. Plug 36, which may be made out of plastic or similar material, includes a disc 35 having a central ring 37 inwardly offset from the edge of said disc to form a circumferential shoulder 38. As clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, ring 37 has two extended projections 40,42 positioned opposite each other having detents 40',42', respectively, which overhang the ring 37 on its outer periphery. Plug 36 is adapted to be inserted into hole 50 positioned in side 21 of cover 20 in proximity to spring clip 30. Hole 50 has a radially extended portion 52 formed on the outside of said side 21 and is adapted to receive shoulder 38 of plug 36. Upon seating of said shoulder 38 against said shoulder portion 52 of hole 50, detents 40',42' will snap or lock the plug into position as said detents and shoulder 38 will straddle the side 21 of the cover 20.

Plug 36 is in proximity to latch member 24 so that when it is desired to gain access into the case 20 the disc 35 is ruptured at its central portion 39 to permit a screw driver or similar tool to be inserted whereby extended tab 26' may be depressed to release the latch member 24' out of engagement from the inner periphery 41 of ring 37. That is, the release of latch member 24, the case may then be pivoted about its top edge 31 to unlatch member 24 from its recess 32. It is thus seen that spring clips 30,30 cooperate with their respective recesses to secure the cover 20 onto the base 16 in a novel manner and it is necessary to rupture the plug 36 by means of a screw driver or other tool to release the latch member 24' so that the cover 20 may be somewhat pivoted about the upper portion of the case and subsequently removed from the base 16.

A unique combination of locking means is thus provided in a case whereby access can be gained only by rupturing a replaceable plug member and any unauthorized rupturing will provide visual notice of tampering. In addition, a simple means of restoring the case to its original condition is available to authorized persons having a replacement plug which is necessary to return the case to its original condition and which is easily snapped into position into the hole provided for such purpose after the ruptured plug has been removed.

What is claimed is:

l. A tamper-proof case for a meter or other device comprising:

a base member adapted to be secured to a surface;

a cover, respective portions of which are adapted to be secured to said base member, said cover having a plurality of opposing sides, a top; and, a hole in one side;

a first latch member secured to said base within said cover, said first latch member adapted to cooperate with a recess in said cover to secure a portion of said cover to said base;

a second latch member positioned opposite said first latch member; and,

a replaceable plug positioned in said hole in said cover in proximity to said second latch member, said plug adapted to cooperate with said second latch member to secure another portion of said cover to said base whereby access into said case is gained by rupturing said replaceable plug and depressing said second latch member out of engagement with said plug to free said cover from said base.

2. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 1 wherein said replaceable plug includes a disc, a ring portion protruding from said disc and offset from the periphery thereof forming a shoulder; and, detent means positioned on said ring, said detent and shoulder adapted to secure said plug to said case.

3. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 1 wherein said hole adapted to receive said replaceable plug includes a shoulder portion adapted to be seated against said shoulder of said plug.

4. A tamper-proof case for a meter or other device comprising:

a base member;

a cover having a plurality of opposing sides and a top,

said cover adapted to be secured to said base memher;

a plurality of resilient latch members positioned on opposite sides of said base member, said latch members secured to said base member, one of said latch members adapted to cooperate with a recess in said cover;

a replaceable plug positioned in proximity to another one of said latch members and cooperating therewith whereby cooperation of said latch members with said recess and said plug secures said case to said base member and wherein said access into said case is gained by rupturing said plug and depressing one of said latch members out of engagement with said plug to free said cover from said base.

5. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 4 wherein said replaceable plug includes a disc, a ring portion protruding from said disc and ofi'set from the periphery there of forming a shoulder; and, detent means positioned on said ring, said detent and shoulder adapted to secure said plug to said case.

6. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 4 wherein said base member is adapted to be secured to a surface and wherein said plug is positioned within a hole having a shoulder portion adapted to be seated against said shoulder of said plug. 

1. A tamper-proof case for a meter or other device comprising: a base member adapted to be secured to a surface; a cover, respective portions of which are adapted to be secured to said base member, said cover having a plurality of opposing sides, a top; and, a hole in one side; a first latch member secured to said base within said cover, said first latch member adapted to cooperate with a recess in said cover to secure a portion of said cover to said base; a second latch member positioned opposite said first latch member; and, a replaceable plug positioned in said hole in said cover in proximity to said second latch member, said plug adapted to cooperate with said second latch member to secure another portion of said cover to said base whereby access into said case is gained by rupturing said replaceable plug and depressing said second latch member out of engagement with said plug to free said cover from said base.
 2. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 1 wherein said replaceable plug includes a disc, a ring portion protruding from said disc and offset from the periphery thereof forming a shoulder; and, detent means positioned on said ring, said detent and shoulder adapted to secure said plug to said case.
 3. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 1 wherein said hole adapted to receive said replaceable plug includes a shoulder portion adapted to be seated against said shoulder of said plug.
 4. A tamper-proof case for a meter or other device comprising: a base member; a cover having a plurality of opposing sides and a top, said cover adapted to be secured to said base member; a plurality of resilient latch members positioned on opposite sides of said base member, said latch members secured to said base member, oNe of said latch members adapted to cooperate with a recess in said cover; a replaceable plug positioned in proximity to another one of said latch members and cooperating therewith whereby cooperation of said latch members with said recess and said plug secures said case to said base member and wherein said access into said case is gained by rupturing said plug and depressing one of said latch members out of engagement with said plug to free said cover from said base.
 5. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 4 wherein said replaceable plug includes a disc, a ring portion protruding from said disc and offset from the periphery there of forming a shoulder; and, detent means positioned on said ring, said detent and shoulder adapted to secure said plug to said case.
 6. A tamper-proof case as defined in claim 4 wherein said base member is adapted to be secured to a surface and wherein said plug is positioned within a hole having a shoulder portion adapted to be seated against said shoulder of said plug. 